Jets could bring out best in Texans’ defense

If the Texans are going to elevate their record to 5-0 with a nationally televised Monday night victory at MetLife Stadium, they’re going to have to show New York Jets coach Rex Ryan something he respects — a physical, nasty defense that dominates.

The Texans allow 14 points a game, fewest in the NFL. The defense has allowed five touchdowns, one more than Arizona’s league low.

Wade Phillips’ defense ranks first (273 yards per game), including second against the pass (182.8).

An indication of just how far the Texans have come can be found in Sunday’s 38-14 victory over Tennessee. They won by 24 — their third victory by at least 20 — but many of us are complaining because they surrendered 158 yards rushing, including 5.4 a carry.

It’s not nitpicking to point out the Texans should be concerned about their 11th-ranked run defense after Chris Johnson blistered them for 142 yards and averaged 5.6 a carry.

And don’t buy that bull about Johnson getting all his yards in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. When the Texans led 21-7 in the third quarter, Johnson had 81 yards on 16 carries.

But the Texans better improve that run defense by Monday night because they’re playing a team that’s getting belittled by its fans and media and is determined not to have a repeat performance.

The Jets were so feeble in their 34-0 home loss to San Francisco that they generated only 145 yards, including 45 rushing. They allowed 245 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

At a time when many of their fans are ready to hit the panic button, no one could blame Ryan if he feels the Texans are the perfect cure for quarter-back Mark Sanchez’s suffering.

The Ryan-Sanchez partnership is 2-0 against the Texans. The Texans are favored by 7½.

Tebow? Not yet

Jets fans are howling for Tim Tebow, but Ryan is sticking with Sanchez. The coach must know that if Sanchez is going to snap out of it against any team, it must be the Texans. No need for Tebow in this game, even though he’s 1-0 against the Texans.

Something Sanchez and Tebow didn’t have to confront, though, was a Phillips-coached Texans defense.

Ryan has known Phillips since he was a senior at Southwestern Oklahoma. His father, Buddy Ryan, was Philadelphia’s head coach in 1986, and Phillips was his defensive coordinator.
Ryan knows what he’s up against, but so does Phillips.

Ryan didn’t lose brain cells overnight. He’s the same coach who led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons. His philosophy is still to run the ball productively and to stop the run effectively. The problem is he doesn’t have as many good — and healthy — players as he used to.

This is a chance for Phillips and his defense to show the nation their run defense is better than 11th and that they can become the physical, nasty, dominant defense no one appreciates more than Ryan.

john.mcclain@chron.com

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See the best photos from the Texans 38-14 win against the Tennessee Titans.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson high steps across the goal line as he returns a fourth quarter interception for a touchdown during the Texans 38-14 victory over the Titans.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson high steps across the goal line as he returns a fourth quarter interception for a touchdown during the Texans 38-14 victory over the Titans.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Titans running back Chris Johnson is upended by Texans defensive back Alan Ball during the fourth quarter.

Titans running back Chris Johnson is upended by Texans defensive back Alan Ball during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive end J.J. Watt slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Titans.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Titans.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fullback James Casey scores on an 11-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive against the Titans.

Texans fullback James Casey scores on an 11-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive against the Titans.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) sacks Titans quarterback Jake Locker during the first quarter. Locker was injured on the play and left the game.

Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) sacks Titans quarterback Jake Locker during the first quarter. Locker was injured on the play and left the game.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) steps in front of Titans wide receiver Damian Williams (17) for an interception, that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) steps in front of Titans wide receiver Damian Williams (17) for an interception, that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) runs past Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on his way to a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) runs past Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on his way to a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown.